It seems like I’ve been in a quandary lately, so for the past few weeks, I have been praying that I would have discernment. How do I discern truth (if there is any) from the podium, from the propaganda that is flourishing, from the liberal press, and yes, even from the pulpit? Each entity portrays its own agenda.
“We’re all in this together,” but why then do we have social distancing? How do I comprehend the insanity of the protests by angry rioters? What are the politicians really saying? What are the accurate numbers of deaths, or of those who tested positive, or of those who are hospitalized for the covid-19 pandemic? How do I respond?
Last Thursday, I was in my office when my phone rang. I instinctively answered – without checking caller ID. (Lesson learned: NEVER answer the phone if the screen shows the number with a state rather than a contact name!)
The foreign-speaking man introduced himself as working for the security company that I had for my computer. He proceeded to tell me that the company could not renew their license, and therefore, they had to refund the money to their customers, and that I was entitled to $500. “I didn’t pay anything even remotely close to that amount,” I protested.
He insisted that’s what I qualified for. He wanted to transfer the money to my bank from his bank. I protested again, and that’s when I realized he had taken control
of my computer! I stared at my compute screen which displayed my bank statement! He had invaded my bank account!
Stunned does not even begin to describe what I felt. Panic set in.
He said he deposited my refund, but then he accused me of typing in $5000 and that it was my fault. He demanded that I pay him $4500 or he would wipe out our bank accounts and crash my computer. I argued. He got belligerent! “Do you want to see what I can do to your bank accounts?” he threatened. I stared at my bank statement – zero balance!
I felt sick and completely helpless! He said he would restore everything if I returned the ‘over payment.’
I looked at the deposit he had made and noticed the last 4 digits of my bank credit card. He had charged my credit card $5000 and deposited it in my checking account and demanded $4500. I told him I would have to call my bank. He said, “No. I will tell you exactly what you are going to do.” Then my computer screen went black.
I called my bank immediately and alerted them to what had just happened. Shortly thereafter, my husband and I sat with the banker closing accounts, opening new accounts, changing passwords, and cancelling credit cards. The banker suggested I call the police, which I did, and to not even turn on my computer until I had it reset or got a new one.
The good news – the bank was able to close all accounts with no financial loss to us.
Because this was such an unusual/bazaar incident, I wondered what lesson is the Lord teaching me? I remembered my prayer asking for discernment. It dawned on me that the Lord was teaching me to learn to discern. The lord brought me to and through a situation so that I would begin to fully recognize the true nature of a thing – whether it is good or evil. There’s a verse in Genesis where Joseph said to his brothers, “What you meant for evil, God meant for good.” That’s how I see my situation.
The Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is with us even in what seems the most difficult and troubling times.
Sometimes, lessons can be hard, but God brings us through trials for our good – that we are to be aware and guard against the evil in the world; that we trust Him to a greater degree, and that we learn to discern.
Side note: This week’s blog post is late because I didn’t have a computer.